The central coastal province of Quang Tri has attracted many foreign investors in energy, from thermal, gas, to wind and solar power, which is a strength and a key industry of the locality.

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Quang Tri is home to 17 wind power projects, with the 30MW Huong Linh 2 Wind Power Plant put into operation in 2017 and the others with total capacity of 578 MW are under construction. 

Meanwhile, 45 wind power projects with combined capacity of over 2,500 MW have been submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for approval.

Hoang Tien Dung, head of the energy management bureau at the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, said some businesses from Hong Kong (China) have showed their interest in investment in wind power production in Quang Tri following their survey in Cam Lo district. 

Meanwhile, the Dong Nam Economic Zone in the province has attracted foreign investors in thermal and gas power, he said. 

The most noteworthy is the 1,320 MW BOT Quang Tri 1 Thermal Power Plant invested by Thailand’s EGAT International Company Limited with total capital exceeding 55 trillion VND (2.36 billion USD). Construction of the plant is scheduled to begin in late 2019. 

The provincial People’s Committee and the Korea Western Power Co., Ltd of the Republic of Korea have also signed a memorandum of understanding on the implementation of the Quang Tri 2 Thermal Power Plant, also in the Dong Nam Economic Zone, with a capacity of 1,200 MW. 

Besides, ISE Food of Japan has invested in a 50 MW solar power project in Hai Lang district. 

Currently, the province has 21 solar power projects with an accumulative capacity of 1,514 MW. 

To optimize capacity of these projects, Quang Tri has proposed the building of a 220KV power line between its Dong Ha city and the neighbouring country of Laos and putting it into operation between 2020 and 2021. 

The province has rolled out various solutions in support of businesses in this field, including information supply, e-government and official data system building, and consulting services.

Nguyen Duc Chinh, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said Quang Tri expects that local power projects will supply thousands of MW of electricity to the national grid by 2025, making it a centre of energy in the north central region.